Boat Fault Finding - Marine Engine Problems

Finding canal boat faults - marine engine problems.

Fault Finding

Tony Brooks is an expert on Marine Diesel Engine & Boat Maintenance matters. Thanks to him and TB-Training for permission to reproduce these materials.

 We've got Faultfinding Checklists and over 150 answers to problems in the sections listed far right.

If you have a canalboat problem.

Tony may answer, time permitting, your problems concerning UK canalboat mechanical and electrical issues - Tony cannot answer questions about sea-going or overseas craft. Give him plenty of details about the problem, its background and your equipment. And don't be too impatient, remember this is a FREE service! Contact him via his website.
CANALBOAT FAULTS
General Problems
Electrical Problems
Propulsion Problems
Engine Problems
Cooling Problems
Smoke Problems
Faultfinding advice

FUEL FAULTFINDING CHECKLIST
Is the stop lever on the pump in the stop position?
Is the fuel tap turned ON?
Do you actually have more than 2" (50mm) of fuel? – Check physically, try dipping the tank.
Check lift pump tell tale\breather for fuel leak.
Check that a fuel pipe has not been squashed (especially if they run along the engine bed which makes a good foot rest when working on the engine!)
Slacken injector pump bleed screw and pump priming pump – note what happens.
Pure fuel delivered with no air – injector pump problem, but check the breather and filters are clear before making expensive decisions.
Air or air bubbles in fuel – Blocked filter(s), Blocked strainer in tank, Blocked tank breather (may hiss if fuel filler removed as soon as engine stops), Air leak into suction line or lift pump.
Just air delivered – very bad air leak into suction line or lift pump.
No delivery – Very bad pipe, filter, or strainer blockage, Faulty lift pump.
Any form of blockage can be caused by water in the system so first check the lift pump chamber (because it is easy) and if that is clear open/drain the first filter like object after the tank.
BLUE, WHITE, BLACK SMOKE FROM ENGINE?
We've now got a full section of smokey problems! Click to see
ENGINE COOLING PROBLEMS?
Plenty of cooling, calorifier and pump problems. Click to see
HYDRAULIC DRIVE POWER LOSS
My narrowboat is powered by 1.5 BMC engine and has hydraulic drive. The engine runs well but I have recently experienced the loss of hydraulic power. This has effected the speed and manoeuvrability of the boat. Click to see answer
 
LISTER SR3 OIL PROBLEM
I have a 70ft narrowboat with a lister sr 3 which has had a rebuild. The oil pressure seems fine for at least an hour and a half then it start to drop as the temperature starts to rise.  Click to see answer
ADJUSTING TAPPETS ON VETUS
I wonder if you can advise me on the tappet adjustments for my Vetus M310 engine. The manual states that the adjustment for both the exhaust and inlet valves should be 25thou. Click to see answer
YANMAR LOW RPM
I am only able to obtain 3200 RPM with engine out of gear and 2600 in gear. Engine is a Yanmar 2GM20F rated at 18HPat 3600RPM. Have changed fuel filters and cleaned mixer elbow.  Click to see answer
BMC 2.2 GLOW PLUGS
I have read with interest your section on glow plugs, I have just removed another faulty one, the 4th in 3 years, always the same plug no.4 which is connected to the live end of a series system on a BMC 2.2. Click to see answer
BMC 1.5 TICKOVER SPEED
Could you please advise what the slow running speed should be for a BMC 1.5 diesel. Can the tick-over be adjusted directly on the on the injector pump or only through the throttle linkage? Click to see answer
HIGH OIL PRESSURE
I have a bmc 1.8 which runs very well except it has very high oil pressure, over 100 psi according to the gauge, even at idle. I was not aware of this until I fitted a gauge instead of a warning light. Is this the problem? Click to see answer
LOMBARDINI 2CYL. ROUGH RUNNING
I run the engine, in gear and out of gear, twice weekly to keep the batteries topped up, and recently although the engine starts easily it runs roughly if I try to accelerate, with more black smoke than I have been used to. Click to see answer
BMC 1.5 PROBLEMS
I have a 40 narrowboat with a BMC 1.5 engine. I've just had some work done on the plugs as the engine was very hard to start from cold - I was having to use a blow torch on the air-intake. Click to see answer
LISTER SR2 HOT STARTING PROBLEM
I have a Lister SR2 with electric starting installed in NB Otter, which we purchased last November. Cold starting is fine but when the engine is warm, the starter appears not to engage - the solenoid clicks in but the starter spins freely. Click to see answer
VOLVO TAMD 63
I have a TAMD 63 marine engine (2002) which had a fuel injector pump problem. I got that repaired and witnessed the pump working on the repair shop's machine. Re-connected the pump to the engine, bled the system and am still having a fuel problem. Click to see answer
EXHAUST SYSTEM REPLACEMENT
I am, and have been, resident on a narrowboat for the last 5 years, but have recently purchased a newer narrowboat that has a BMC 1.5 engine. However ... my exhaust has just given up the ghost, although my patchwork is holding at the mo, it is only a matter of time ... can you tell me what exhaust I need? ... Click to see answer
BMC BLEED NUT PROBLEM
I noted that the governor bleed nut on top of the injector pump had been wired and crimped with a lead seal. As undoing this small nut forms part of the bleeding process I cut the wire and bled the pump, having not done this for some time I forgot to lock the bottom nut and think that any fine adjustment protected by this wiring has now been thrown out. Click to see answer
EXHAUST SYSTEM MATERIALS
I purchased a used boat that has an exhaust run about 7 feet long. The previous owner installed a steel pipe about 4 feet long and the remainder rubber exhaust tubing. Why is steel pipe not used instead ...? Click to see answer
STARTING BMC
I have recently brought a 27' Creighton with a BMC diesel engine. that runs absolutely great. The only problem is I do not know how to tell if the engine is a 1.5 or 1.8 diesel and what is the best way to start it. Click to see answer
MARINISING A BMC 2.5L DIESEL ENGINE
Sycamore is a 43 foot steel narrowboat owned by a syndicate of 10. It has fallen to me as the only engineer in the group to do something about a replacement engine. I have sourced an old BMC diesel 2.5l which was running when it was removed from the London taxi. Is this a good starting point or are there much better things available nowadays? . Click to see answer
BMC STARTER MOTOR
I`m trying to find a compatible starter motor for my BMC 1.5 . I've been in touch with Lucas but they weren't very helpful. I think the engine is from a J4 Van and have been told that maybe a 3 series Landrover starter will fit, do you know if this is so or can you recommend anything else that would fit? Click to see answer
BMC REPLACEMENT SOLENOID
I have a narrowboat fitted with a BMC 1.8D engine, and the glow plug solenoid has stopped working. Do you know where I can get spare parts for this engine? Click to see answer
LISTER CANAL STAR RATTLE
My canal star 36 started to rattle which comes and goes but is more commonly heard at tick over. At this point I am getting worried that this may be coming from inside the engine. Click to see answer
OIL LEAK ON LISTER CANAL STAR
I have a Canal Star Lister engine on a 45 ft Narrowboat. I noticed an oil leak which seemed to seep out and collect around the top of the plugs. and then drop into the oil tray under the engine. Click to see answer
BMC 1.5L PROBLEMS
I recently purchased a narrow boat fitted with a BMC 1.5 L engine. The engine was a little worse for wear so I decided to have it reconditioned. Since reinstalling the engine I have a couple of problems... Click to see answer
VOLVO NOT STARTING
 I have a volvo penta 1985 year. I have a ignition problem. I can not crank the motor with the ignition. I have a full charge on battery, I have power going to the ignition. I have checked all wires and connectors. The starter relay works, neutral switch checks out ok. I have no power ... Click to see answer
BMC ENGINE PROBLEM
The engine's a BMC 1.5 like mine, and very occasionally it does this thing where it suddenly revs up without warning, then the revs either fade back to normal or it dies completely. If it dies completely then it won't start again for some time. .... Click to see answer
REMOVING INJECTORS
I wonder if you have experience of removing injectors from a very old engine. I removed the two nuts either side of one of the injectors but it doesn't seem to want to shift. How much force should I use? Click to see answer
BMC WON'T START
I have a B.M.C 1.5ltr diesel in my boat and am unable to get it to start. She turns over fine but does not spray fuel from injectors, there is fuel coming from the pump to the rear of the injectors in spurts.  Click to see answer
FUEL SUPPLY QUERY
I have just had a new engine fitted and the main fuel supply pipe comes out from the duct on the swim plate and then hangs in the air for about 12" to 18" before it is connected to the flexible. The connector is also hanging in the air and the pipe is copper. Is this OK? Click to see answer
DISSOLVING EXHAUST SYSTEM
I have a Ford Petrol 113 engine, 4 cylinder marinised engine which has soldiered on via Wortham Blake gearbox for over 30 years... But! There is a mixing box .. made of aluminium alloy, and it has dissolved.  Click to see answer
BMC CAPTAIN OIL FILTER
I just purchased a boat that has a BMC 1.5 Captain made in Fredrikstad, Norway and I want to change oil and filter right away. I was wondering if you would have any idea what type of oil filter I need. Click to see answer
OUTBOARD STARTING PROBLEM
I have a just bought a 2 berth day boat with a 6hp johnson outboard, After  initially starting the engine ok , I left it to run for quite a while not realising the choke was on full, eventually the engine stopped ... Click to see answer
EVINRUDE OUTBOARD WON'T RESTART
I recently purchased an old Evinrude 18hp outboard motor. It cranks after the first or second pull and runs fine. My problem is after it is shut off it won't start back up. Click to see answer
 


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